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Central Lutheran Church - Elk River
Established in 1948, Central Lutheran Church has been a beacon of faith and community in Elk River, Minnesota, for more than seven decades. Led by our dedicated Lead Pastor, Ryan Braley, we are a congregation deeply rooted in family values and intergenerational connection.
Central Lutheran Church offers two services every Sunday at 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM, welcoming individuals and families of all ages to join us in worship and fellowship. Our services and activities are thoughtfully designed to engage, inspire, and strengthen the spiritual growth of each member of our church family, from the youngest to the eldest.
We pride ourselves on being a family-centered and family-focused church. Our intergenerational approach allows us to embrace and celebrate the rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives within our congregation, fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
Beyond the church walls, Central Lutheran Church is deeply committed to serving and uplifting the wider Elk River community. Our active involvement in local initiatives reflects our core belief in the power of faith in action, as we strive to put Christian love and compassion into practice.
At Central Lutheran Church, we don’t just attend church – we are the church. Join us as we continue to nurture faith, celebrate family, and serve our community, hand in hand.
Episodes
187 episodes
The Rhythm is Gonna Get You with Pastor Ryan Braley
What forces are shaping your life right now? Beyond your conscious awareness, daily habits and patterns are carving pathways in your heart, sculpting your desires, and ultimately determining who you become.When we repeatedly complain, o...
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30:33
Wild Faith: John the Baptist's Radical Path {Reflections}
The wild, untamed nature of God's work takes center stage as we explore the revolutionary ministry of John the Baptist – a man who abandoned his priestly inheritance to preach in the wilderness. This seemingly simple career change represents on...
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10:06
I Am the Resurrection and the Life with Pastor Ryan Braley
"I am the resurrection and the life." With these words, Jesus makes one of his most profound declarations while standing at the grave of his friend Lazarus. But what does this statement really mean for us today?When Jesus refers to the ...
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24:31
It’s In the Moment with Sonja Knutson
What happens when Jesus interrupts an ordinary meal to become a servant? On this Maundy Thursday, we witness a profound moment that transforms how we understand love and service.There's a striking difference between choosing to serve an...
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18:35
I Am the True Vine with Pastor Ryan Braley
The ancient world valued gardens as rare treasures belonging only to kings and the wealthy. These weren't merely beautiful spaces but powerful symbols of divine blessing, order over chaos, and sacred communion. When Jesus declares "I am the tru...
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29:24
What Emerges When We Stop Feeding Our Distractions? {Reflections}
Wilderness journeys reveal what's hidden in the depths of our hearts. During this Lent season, we're exploring how temporary discomfort creates space for profound spiritual growth.The 40-day period of Lent mirrors powerful biblical wild...
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7:56
I Am the Good Shepherd with Pastor Ryan Braley
What if Jesus calling us "sheep" isn't just a poetic metaphor, but a profound truth about human nature? In this eye-opening message, Pastor Ryan explores why sheep perfectly represent our tendencies toward poor judgment, defenselessness, and ai...
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29:43
I Am the Way, the Truth, the Life with Ben Carruthers
Jesus' declaration "I am the way, the truth, and the life" isn't made during a theological debate or before a massive crowd. Instead, these profound words emerge around a dinner table as comfort for twelve confused disciples facing imminent los...
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23:13
Blind Faith {Reflections}
What happens when our spiritual vision gets things backward? Ryan explores two powerful Gospel narratives that flip conventional religious understanding on its head.First, we dive into John 9, where Jesus heals a man blind from birth—bu...
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8:20
Keep Your Eyes On Your Own Paper {Reflections}
Have you ever caught yourself looking at someone else's life, work, or talents and thinking, "What about them?" You're not alone. In this deeply reflective episode, we explore a fascinating moment between Jesus and Peter from John 21 that perfe...
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6:02
I Am the Light of the World with Ben Carruthers
Standing in the temple courts during the vibrant Festival of Sukkot, surrounded by massive oil lamps commemorating God's pillar of fire, Jesus makes his bold declaration: "I am the light of the world." The timing couldn't be more profound—momen...
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22:21
Two Pieces of Paper {Reflections}
Have you ever pondered the beautiful tension between your cosmic significance and humble origins? This reflective episode explores an ancient rabbinical practice of carrying two contradictory truths that perfectly balance our understanding of h...
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5:54
I Am the Gate with Pastor Ryan Braley
What happens when religious gatekeeping collides with divine compassion? Jesus' declaration "I am the gate for the sheep" emerges from a powerful confrontation over a man born blind—healed but subsequently expelled from the synagogue by religio...
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38:46
The Bread of Life with Pastor Ryan
What are we truly hungry for? In a world filled with temporary satisfactions, Jesus offers something far more substantial when he declares "I am the Bread of Life."This powerful statement—the first of seven "I Am" declarations in John's...
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35:46
Sitting in the Ashes with Ben Carruthers
The profound symbolism of Ash Wednesday unveils a journey from endings to new beginnings. Far from being simply a gloomy reminder of mortality, the message "you are dust, and to dust you shall return" offers a beautiful invitation to transforma...
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19:29
Finding God in the Debate {Reflections}
Ryan opens episode 77 of the Reflections podcast by sharing a fascinating encounter at Starbucks with a man who left his Protestant evangelical church to become Catholic. The man's surprising reason? He was tired of theological arguments and wa...
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6:36
Yirah, and That One Time I Was In the Ocean with Pastor Ryan Braley
Dive into a captivating exploration of the profound interplay between fear and wonder in the realm of faith in this episode. Drawing from personal stories and biblical narratives, we unpack the meaning of Yirah, a Hebrew word that translates to...
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41:10
Faith In the Dark with Ben Carruthers
What does the book of Nahum have to teach us about finding hope in darkness? As we dive deep into this often-overlooked minor prophet, we explore the harsh realities of life in Nineveh, a city steeped in wickedness and oppression. Through the l...
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25:11
School Principals, Logan’s Swimsuit, and the Pathos of God with Pastor Ryan Braley
Can the character of God be both wrathful and compassionate? Join us as we navigate this complex question, examining how these seemingly opposing forces might intertwine, particularly through the lens of the Minor Prophets. We invite you on a j...
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34:56
Comedic Reflections on a Biblical Story {Reflections}
Ever wondered why Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding? On our 75th episode of the Reflections podcast, I, Ryan, along with a group of lively young men, take a comedic yet insightful look at this intriguing story from t...
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7:50
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Adventures in Missing the Point with Ben Carruthers
Ever wonder how the struggles of an ancient society mirror the distractions we face today? Join me, Ben Carruthers, as I recount tales of my son Ezra’s delightful distractions and the Israelites’ own diversions from their mission, as captured i...
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28:56
